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With our incredible diversity of natural landscapes and seascapes, agriculture, culture, history, and places for visitors to call home while here, Hawai’i Island is clearly a BIG and inspiring getaway!

ADVENTURES, ACTIVITIES & EVENTS

McNeil Wilson Takes Over PR for BIVB. McNeil Wilson Communications (MWC), a Honolulu PR firm with a specialty in tourism marketing, has been hired to manage public relations for BIVB. MWC’s clients include Hawaiian Airlines, Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau, Marriott Resorts Hawai’i, Prince Resorts Hawai’i, Polynesian Cultural Center, and USS Missouri Memorial. The primary PR contact is Noreen Kam. She can be reached at noreen.kam@anthologygroup.com and (808) 539-3422.
Hawai’i Island Tour Companies Earn “Green” Certification. Hawai’i’s first-ever certification program for “green” tourism has validated the commitment to sustainability by five entities operating on Hawai’i Island: Atlantis Submarines Kona, Volcano Discovery, Jack’s Diving Locker, Pacific Islands Institute, and Hawaii Forest & Trail. The program was created by the Hawai’i Ecotourism Association to encourage more “green” tourism statewide, support conservation, and raise awareness among visitors. Each entity earned the certification following an evaluation of their ecotourism operations and principles. www.hawaiiecotourism.org.

The Humpbacks are Back! The first official whale sighting of Hawai’i’s annual humpback whale migration, which runs November through May, was reported by six lucky passengers and their captain aboard a Sea Quest charter on Monday. The early arrival, which appeared to be a yearling, was spotted slapping its tail on the surface in waters outside West Hawai’i’s Hōnaunau Bay. For more information on Hawai’i’s humpback whales, visit the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary website, http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/.

The Lyman Museum presents a special exhibit “Hawai’i’s Volcanoes: 1800s to Present” from Dec. 9, 2011 through Mar. 3, 2012, featuring historic paintings, photographs, film footage, oddities & curiosities. In celebration of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s centennial, paintings from the museum’s collections by Hitchcock, Bailey and Furneaux will be on display, along with volcanic specimens and film footage of Kīlauea eruptions as early as the 1930s. Missionary Sarah Lyman’s written accounts of earthquakes and eruptions are also included. Visit www.lymanmusuem.org.

Oceans of Fun! The Hanamana is a sleek, 38-foot custom sportfishing boat out of Honokōhau Harbor that promises adventure and fun for everyone. You and your party of up to six people can snorkel, see dolphins, fish and enjoy a special year-end discount of 15 percent off of the regular rate of $599. Your discounted price comes to $509.15, and does not include tax and gratuity. Call (808) 331-1742 for reservations, and mention BIVB. Visit www.hanamanaboatcharters.com.

Ocean Sports announces another new fantastic water fitness activity: Aqua Tahitian! Dance your way to fitness with this dynamic workout combining lively Tahitian beats with the gentle resistance of the water. And, best of all, you don’t need previous dance experience or your wallet to join this complimentary pool party. Offered Monday thru Friday at 11 a.m. in the Hilton Waikoloa Village’s Kona Pool. For information or reservations, call (808) 886-6666 ext. 103, or visit www.hawaiioceansports.com.

Mmm! Edible Hawaiian Islands announces the launch of its new app for iPhone and iPad, available on iTunes, free until the end of October. Take the flavor of the Hawaiian Islands with you everywhere and access all the farmers markets, local dining guide, mouth-watering recipes and articles about the people, places and food of Hawai’i. Visit www.ediblehawaiianislands.com for details.

Reeling in the Savings. Enjoy a half-day, four-hour sportfishing charter in Kona with Humdinger Sportfishing for $340. Want to stay out longer? Upgrade for $100/hour. Call Captain Jeff Fay at (808) 325-3449 to take advantage of this special rate. Must book and pay for charter by Nov. 31, 2011, charter must be taken by Oct. 31, 2012. Visit www.HumdingerSportFishing.com.

Looking for more to do? Click www.bigisland.org/calendar for detailed information about additional Hawai’i Island happenings throughout 2011, like this special hula performance:

Kilauea Lodge Now Offers the Ola’a Plantation House, a historic 1935 property, among its Volcano lodging offerings. This beautiful two-bedroom cottage sits just a block away from the main lodge and across the street from Tutu’s Place, another historic Volcano Village home. Both homes can be booked together for larger gatherings. The Ola’a Plantation House has two bedrooms, a large living room with wood burning fireplace, a sun room and spacious kitchen, heated towel warmers, TV, DVD player, free Wi-Fi, original art and spacious gardens. Contact Kilauea Lodge at www.kilauealodge.com for reservations.

Discover Hawai’i, the Big Island and receive an air credit on every room booked! Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa is participating in Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii special air credit group room offer. For groups staying a minimum of 25 peak rooms, each room receives $100 in air credit. Blackout dates may apply as well as other terms and conditions. Offer expires Dec. 31, 2011. Visit www.SheratonKeauhou.com or call Brina Fritzsche at (808) 930-4875 for more information.

Beautiful, secluded Kipuka Cottage near Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park announces an early Christmas present for guests who reserve dates between Dec. 1 and Dec. 25. Kipuka is offering a 15 percent discount on any stay of two nights or longer for these dates. Make reservation requests at http://kipuka-cottage.squarespace.com.

TASTY TIDBITS

Honu’s Restaurant Is Open in Historic Kailua Village! Overlooking the white sand beach at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, guests will enjoy a wonderful selection of island salads and creative new seafood dishes, as well as lavish seafood and prime rib buffets, all in the style of Hawai’i Regional Cuisine. Located right on Kamakahonu Bay with its historic heiau and bustling ocean activities, patrons can relax on the spacious lanai around inviting fire pits while sipping tropical delights. For more information visit www.konabeachhotel.com.

The Fairmont Orchid Hawai’i is pleased to offer Lifestyle Cuisine Plus, a menu available upon request catering to guests with specific diet-dependent conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and gluten-free, as well as unique dietary preferences including macrobiotic, raw and vegan diets. Guests can now enjoy delectable dishes such as Seared Ahi Penne Pasta (Diabetes), Kalbi Chicken Vegetable Fried Rice (Gluten Free) and Buckwheat Noodle Stir Fry (Vegan) at any of the AAA Four Diamond Resort’s award winning restaurants. Learn more at www.fairmont.com/orchid.

For the ninth year, Mountain Thunder will serve as the official coffee mill and roastery for the 41st Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, Nov. 4-13. In celebration of this esteemed position, Mountain Thunder is offering free USPS shipping to the mainland U.S. on orders of two pounds or more of Organic Private Reserve French and Vienna roast orders. Visit www.mountainthunder.com or call (888) 41-4Kona.

Special note to media: The Big Island Visitors Bureau (BIVB) recognizes the use of the ‘okina [‘] or glottal stop, one of the eight consonants of the modern Hawaiian language; and the kahakō [ā] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawai’i such as Kīlauea). However, BIVB respects the individual use of these markings for names of organizations and businesses.